| Tips for Going Up the Mast | | | | system is comfortable to "sit" in while aloft, you |
| Over the years, I've watched a number of | | | | could forgo the bosun's chair-but you would still |
| individuals and couples cope with going up the | | | | need to use two halyards (for safety back up) |
| mast-or "going aloft" in sailing parlance. The | | | | and you would need to come up with an |
| reasons vary: Retrieve a lost halyard, fix a wind | | | | alternative to the chair's tool pockets. |
| vane or spreader light, install a radar reflector, or | | | | - Agree on a communication system to use while |
| any one of a number of jobs that require working | | | | the climber is aloft, and then use it. The ability to |
| essentially in midair. While most did it safely, it was | | | | speak in full sentences may be diminished because |
| surprising how many didn't seem to understand | | | | of wind or other factors, so one-word |
| the gravity of the situation-literally. | | | | communications should be used for different |
| The climber has to depend on the ability and | | | | actions. Make sure both of you know what the |
| alertness of the belayer, so the belayer must | | | | system is going to be and what the various |
| know what he or she is doing. Both parties must | | | | words mean-this is not a situation that has a lot |
| also understand that the climber may be in place | | | | of leeway for miscommunication and |
| for some time and will need to have the right | | | | misunderstanding. Further, because it is important |
| tools to do whatever job needs doing up. And | | | | for the person communicating (whether the |
| both the climber and the belayer need to | | | | climber or the belayer) to know that the other |
| understand the physics of pendulums: any | | | | person has heard and understood, it is an |
| movement on deck, whether from the wake of | | | | excellent idea to discipline yourselves to repeat |
| a passing boat or from someone walking around, | | | | any command you hear to indicate that you have |
| can turn the mast into a jumbo metronome, | | | | heard, understood, and are taking the requested |
| which presents serious difficulties to the climber | | | | action. |
| as he or she tries to get the job done. | | | | - Rig a canvas bucket on another halyard or |
| Here are some tips about going up. My "gender | | | | messenger line that can be pulleyed up and down. |
| labels" in this list assume a male/female team of | | | | This can be used to send up any tools or |
| two going through the exercise, with the male | | | | materials that the climber finds he needs once |
| climbing and the female belaying. However, the | | | | aloft, or to send down items if needed. Also, the |
| items I discuss apply regardless of the gender of | | | | bucket can be used to hold heavy tools so the |
| the participants. | | | | climber doesn't get encumbered by them. |
| - Plan out the work before any feet leave the | | | | - Go slow. Whether using mast steps (I'm a big |
| ground. Talk through what will be done aloft so | | | | fan of these) or being hauled up by winch, be |
| that both parties know what's planned. | | | | patient. The belayer needs to keep the slack out |
| - If possible, pick a time when all is quiet. Go aloft | | | | of both halyards, and the climber needs to make |
| in calm waters with little or no boat traffic in | | | | sure he doesn't get ahead of her. Take your time |
| order to minimize boat movement. Unless there is | | | | and make sure that the climber is safe all the |
| an emergency, avoid climbing the mast in rough | | | | way up. |
| waters or windy conditions. | | | | - Once the climber is in position, tie off both |
| - Assemble all tools needed for the job and | | | | halyards securely. The belayer should not depend |
| attach them to something. Put lanyards on the | | | | on self-tailing winches to tie him off. Use cleats for |
| tools that are going to be taken up and secure | | | | both lines. |
| them to something else that's going up-the | | | | - The belayer should minimize movement on deck |
| bosun's chair, a bucket, the climber's belt loops. | | | | as much as possible to avoid pendulum action up |
| This will avoid 1) losing a tool to gravity and 2) | | | | top. Also, she should move away from the mast |
| losing the belayer to unconsciousness after being | | | | once the climber is cleated off, just in case |
| bonked on the head from a falling hunk of metal. | | | | something that isn't tied to him happens to fall. |
| - Prepare two halyards to be attached to the | | | | However, she should remain close by and "on |
| climber. Do not use halyard shackles-tie the | | | | watch" for the whole time he is aloft. |
| halyards directly to the bosun's chair and/or | | | | - When it's time for the climber to come down, |
| climbing harness. The belayer will need to attend | | | | belay him down slowly and in control. Avoid |
| to both of these halyards at all times during the | | | | allowing the lines to be pulled down just by his |
| exercise. Check both halyards to make sure | | | | weight. If he is climbing down on his own (as is |
| there's no wear and tear that could give way; if | | | | the case if there are mast steps), the belayer |
| polyester line looks OK on the outside, it is OK on | | | | must pay attention and match the speed of line |
| the inside. The two key spots to check are the | | | | release with his descent. Do not take the lines off |
| length within a few feet of the shackle and the | | | | the winches until he is on or within easy jumping |
| wire-to-rope splice. | | | | distance of the deck. Dealing with gravity on a |
| - Use a full climber's harness in addition to a | | | | boat when someone has to leave the deck and |
| bosun's chair. By "full," I mean a harness system | | | | go vertical is really an exercise in common sense. |
| that covers both chest and seat areas. If the | | | | After all, gravity isn't just a good idea-it's a law! |